Bedazzled

It's easy to understand why Brendan Fraser wanted to star in Bedazzled: he gets to play a Colombian drug lord, a half-witted hick version of Dennis Rodman and a whole series of other screwball characters--all fantasy incarnations of Elliot Richards, a lonely doormat of a tech support geek who sells his soul to the devil so he can have a shot with his dream girl (Frances O'Connor). Promised seven wishes by a luscious Lucifer (an over-vamping Elizaebth Hurley), Elliot naturally leaves himself open to satanic sabotage by not being very specific in conjuring up his dreams. Fraser is a super comedic chameleon in his ever-changing role, and all the actors are clearly having a great time (the sensation is contagious) in this slapdash gimmick comedy that is funny enough to leave everyone grinning, even though it tanks in the last five minutes with an insultingly contrived, easy-out ending. A strong, optional purchase. (R. Blackwelder)